Llandaff North Ladies vs Gwernyfed 06.09.2015

The North Ladies kicked off the new season by travelling to Mid Wales for an away fixture against Gwernyfed Ladies and coming away with a win.

The conditions couldn’t have been more different for this visit, the blazing sun a complete contrast to the torrential rain and cold the teams had to contend with last time.

The North Ladies have come off the back of a busy preseason, which focussed heavily on fitness and brand new patterns of play. This was the first time this group were going to get the opportunity to put this into practice. The plays being just one of the changes this season, with Becky Newton stepping down as Captain, and Hooker Beth Kenure taking the reins.

Encouragingly, the ladies started the game with great pace and intensity, implementing many of the new patterns. The forwards running hard, drawing in the defence, left the way open for the back to do the pretty work early on. A fantastic chip and chase from Elin Huxtable, lead to North getting the first points on the board. This was converted by Robyn Wilkins making the score 7-0 to the North.

A number of strong scrums for North led to a forward surge and to Nia Jones powering her way through the defence and over the line. No conversion this time, 12-0 to North.

Gwernyfed were not discouraged, and continued to make a nuisance of themselves at the breakdown disrupting the North charge and on occasion turning the ball back their way. Some indiscipline from North at the breakdown led to a Lily Snape try for the home side. No conversion left the score at 12-5.

There was still enough time left in the half for another North try, with Huxtable adding to the tally. Half time score, 17-5
After the break it was stalemate for much of the second half. Both teams were battling hard for possession and the hot weather was taking its toll on both sides. It was only after 25 minutes did the North Ladies finally cross the white wash through Centre Jolee Gregory, with Wilkins adding the extras bringing the final score to 24-5.

Next Week North Ladies travel west to Whitland for what is sure to be a heated clash. The last time the two sides met Whitland claimed the spoils by a single point.